Philippines sends navy ship to disputed waters

The Philippines said Friday it would send its ageing navy flagship into disputed South China Sea waters amid rising tensions with Beijing over their competing claims. However defence department spokesman Eduardo Batac insisted the deployment was a routine assignment and had nothing to do with an announcement by China on Thursday that one of its maritime patrol vessels would pass through the area. "I don't think these are connected," Batac told reporters. "The navy conducts regular offshore patrols and we should not connect the deployment of Rajah Humabon to the deployment of this maritime vessel of China." Batac said he was unaware if the Chinese vessel had reached waters claimed by both countries. He also did not say when the Philippine vessel would be dispatched or exactly where it would go. The Rajah Humabon, a former US Navy frigate that served during World War II, is ...